Author name: Ian Roberts

Having struggled to post competitive totals for much of the season, the 1st XI seemed to have had their third Weetabix before welcoming Oulton Park to The Beets on Saturday. Haris Yassin led the way with his maiden ton for the club in only his second game. With a quickfire 50 from James Lines and rapid scoring from the rest of the line up, we posted a magnificent 339 -9 off our 50 overs. This was a fine effort, particularly that we were missing players due to last week’s injury nightmare at Romiley. In reply Oulton Park did well to get closer than expected, falling just short of the 300 mark themselves. 600+ runs and 19 wickets on the day is great credit to the track prepared by our excellent groundsman. The 1s remain at the foot of the table but we now have the other clubs in our sights. The 2s had less luck with the track at Cheadle Hulme, being bowled out for 104. The hosts also struggled, losing 5 wickets in the run chase. Having players called up the 1st team because of injuries clearly impacted on our team, but it was great to see our younger players once again being given the opportunity to experience cricket at the sharp end. Praise too for former 1st team skipper, former Club Chairman and current Junior Chair, Mark Timms, who found his whites and reminded us of what a fine player and top clubman he is. The 3s lost a low scorer at The Beets on Sunday, going down to Bramhall on a rain interrupted day. Runs from Finn Coburn and Steve Abel could only get us to a total of just over a hundred but we looked in the game as Zach Roberts and Adam Heap knocked the top off the visitors’ batting, leaving them at 32-5. But rain and some help from messrs Duckworth and Lewis got our guests over the line in the 19th over. The development of our younger players continues and the future of the club looks bright.

No joy for the senior teams this weekend with all three sides going down fighting. The 1s had a bruising encounter at Romiley with injuries hampering our efforts to grab victory. With Hugh Gibbons restricted by a blow to the wrist from a fielder’s throw whilst batting and Fraser Hay having to go to hospital having badly damaged a finger attempting a caught and bowled, we were down to 9 men and a one handed warrior as we defended a total set on a spin friendly pitch. The refusal of our hosts to provide a substitute fielder left a bitter taste as their batting enjoyed the inevitable gaps that were created. A big shout out to Charlie Eaton who took over the glovework from Hugh and looked totally at home in the role. The 2s were outgunned by Oulton Park, despite 3 wickets apiece for Kris Green and Joe Middleton. Another good effort from Tom Stockton with the bat was not enough to get us close in the run chase. The 3s did themselves proud against a strong Didsbury team with our younger players again showing their potential. Four wickets for Max Lilley and a top order scalp for Aaron Jones kept the visitors honest, but their total of over 200 was always going to be a stretch. Runs from Sarveshkumar Yadav, Ashish Gupota and Isaac Treacy gave us hope but in the end some experienced bowling left us 50 runs short. Another fine effort from the lads, We’re wishing Fraser and Hugh a speedy recovery